Turkey pushing for F1 return should Madrid not feature in 2026

Turkish Grand Prix bosses are ready to step in and host a Formula 1 grand prix in 2026 should the new Madrid circuit not be constructed in time.

F1 confirmed the 2026 calendar on 10 June, which included a race in the Spanish capital for the debut of the newly-built Madring circuit.

Construction on the 5.4km layout that will have a dizzying 22 corners, including a banked bend, has already begun but is facing stiff opposition from a local political group.

There has also been some doubt over whether the track will be built in time for its race on 13 September. It must be completed by 30 May 2026 and if it isn’t, then owners of the Istanbul Park F1 circuit say it can fill in the gap – although those in Madrid are confident it will not get to that.

Nevertheless, the Istanbul track, which was recently transferred to TOSFED, the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation affiliated with the FIA, was last on the calendar in 2020 and 2021 when it formed part of a truncated schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But TOSFED president, Eren Uclertopragı, would rather return to Turkey’s previous agreement of being a permanent venue on the F1 calendar just like it was from 2005 to 2011. 

He told Autosport: “Following our appointment by the government as the federation a few months ago, we have been in intensive discussions with F1 and FIA management.

“There is a strong commitment from the government to bring Turkey back into the Formula 1 calendar with a permanent and long-term agreement.

“As is known, the 2026 calendar has already been announced. Nevertheless, in the event that a race cannot be held for various reasons, we could host the Turkish Grand Prix.

“However, unlike during the pandemic, we do not want to host a one-off replacement race; instead, we aim to secure a place on the calendar through a long-term contract.”

Uclertopragı also added that the proposal for a Turkish Grand Prix has the backing from the country’s government.

“I am happy to say that, thankfully, our President, Minister of Culture and Tourism, and Minister of Youth and Sports are all seriously supporting the project to bring Formula 1 back to Turkey,” he added.

“Therefore, we are currently receiving significant support and encouragement from our government. All payments and procedures related to the race will be completed under state guarantee.

“At this point, the fact that we, as the Federation, have taken over the management of Istanbul Park gives us a great advantage.

“In addition to assuming the responsibilities of both the Promoter and the National Sporting Authority recognised by the FIA, the fact that the race is supported by the full force of our government will enable us to organise a very smooth event. Finding such a structure among other races on the calendar is very rare.”

The drivers pull away for the start of the race

Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

Turkey’s ambitions for F1 and willingness to step in come after organisers of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola had also voiced their intention to not give up on the series – yet it is absent from the 2026 calendar.

Uclertopragı says the Istanbul circuit’s location makes it an attractive proposition for F1.

“We do not have the perspective of competing with any other country,” he said. “Turkey still has a very popular and unique track, a population of 85 million, great interest in the sport among young people, a market where more than 1.2 million cars are sold annually, factories or major distributors of most F1 car brands located here, and a geopolitical position.

“The huge spectator potential in countries within a two-to-three-hour flight from Istanbul makes it a country that could add significant value to the F1 calendar if included.

“September is also a month when the weather is good in Istanbul and students return to school. Therefore, I do not think there will be any problems in terms of organising the race in September.

“The fact that the Azerbaijan GP will also take place in our sister country in September could make things easier for Formula 1 teams in terms of logistics.

“A race that can be held before or after going to or returning from Baku would be a relatively lower-cost and easier operation for F1.”